TECH, DESIGN SPOTLIGHT: An Exclusive Interview with Idris Abass, Product & UX Designer
In the ever-evolving world of technology, few stories are as inspiring and grounded as that of Idris Abass. A human-centred Product and UX Designer with over six years of industry experience, Idris has worked across fintech, SaaS, logistics, and real estate delivering innovative solutions for startups and Fortune 500 clients alike. In this exclusive interview, he opens up about his career, challenges, inspirations, and the future of tech.
Idris Abass
Q: Hello Idris! Good to have you here. You have had a young but eventful track record in Tech, going from a junior product designer to a lead product designer in a few years. What sparked your interest in technology, and how did you first get started?
Idris Abass: That’s a great place to start. I’d say my passion for tech began with my background in Mechatronics Engineering at Bells University. I was always fascinated by the interaction between humans and technology. This curiosity really came to life during my final-year dissertation, where I built a home automation system that allowed people to control their lights and appliances using Bluetooth technology and a mobile phone.
I still remember the look on my supervisor’s face when I switched on the lights using my phone. That project was a turning point. It was supposed to be just engineering, but it awakened a deeper love for human-centred design. After earning my degree, I interned at Touchcore, a design agency in Lagos, and that’s when I began to realise that design could be a career, one that blends empathy, creativity, and tech.
Q: How has your career journey been? And what defining moments have shaped it?
Idris: I would say my journey has been a vibrant ride through different industries from banking, SaaS, logistics, and real estate. One early defining moment was at Union Bank, where I helped simplify their Treasury bill application process into a user-friendly digital flow. That work was recognised by their digital innovation team, and it boosted user engagement significantly.
Later, I joined Estate Intel, a real estate data startup, where my design work directly supported a $500k VC funding raise. That was another milestone seeing how UX could impact not just user experience but actual business growth. I’ve also worked in environments with low UX maturity, so I’ve had to advocate for design at a strategic level. It’s challenging, but rewarding when you see the cultural shift take place.
Q: What challenges have you faced as a professional in tech, and how did you overcome them?
Idris: One of the biggest challenges has been getting stakeholder buy-in, especially in organisations where design wasn’t well understood. Sometimes it’s hard to convince people to invest in user research or iterative prototyping.
I’ve learned to address this by aligning design goals with business objectives and involving stakeholders in the user feedback process. Once they witness firsthand how users interact with products and where they struggle, it becomes easier to get support. On a personal level, living and working in Nigeria brings its own challenges like power outages and unreliable internet. But we adapt. We find a way.
Q: Have there been any mentors or key influences in your journey?
Idris: My older brother, Teslim, has been a massive influence. He’s a Product Owner in the UK tech space and a great mentor. From day one, he shared resources, coached me for interviews, and even bought me my first laptop which is the same one I used to design my earliest projects. I don’t use it anymore, but I keep it safe as a reminder of where I started.
I also draw inspiration from leaders I’ve worked with, like Dolapo Omidire, the CEO of Estate Intel. His vision and ability to innovate in such a complex industry have had a huge impact on me.
Q: In what ways have you given back to the design community, in your own way?
Idris: In July 2021, I led a UX bootcamp for beginners where I employed a hands-on approach to introduce these beginners into the complex world of product design. In this 6 week program, I taught these aspiring designers how to tackle complex design challenges using a design thinking framework. From understanding users and conducting research to ideation, wireframing and usability testing. At the end of the program we had built a fully fledged mobile application together which they could put into their portfolios as a case study and some of these participants, many from underrepresented backgrounds have since gone on to secure roles in the design industry. It’s one of the things I am most proud of in my design journey and I am glad to have been able to give back to the design community. I still hear from several students I taught during the bootcamp, which speaks to the lasting sense of community it created. One of the most memorable moments was receiving a heartfelt message from a student who landed her first role in tech.
Q: What skills do you believe are crucial for thriving in tech today?
Idris: Collaboration tops the list. You can’t do it alone. Whether it’s working with engineers, product managers, or marketing teams, your ability to collaborate determines your success as a designer.
Communication is also critical, being able to explain your design decisions clearly. And of course, continuous learning. The tech landscape moves fast. Staying curious and keeping up with trends in UX, product strategy, and technology is essential.
Q: How do you see technology evolving over the next few years?
Idris: I believe we’ll see a big shift toward more conversational user experiences. People will interact with products using natural language, voice or text rather than clicks and taps. AI and machine learning will play a big role in making these interfaces smarter and more intuitive.
That excites me because it ties back to my passion for creating more human-centred, seamless digital experiences.
Q: What advice would you give to young professionals who want to follow a similar career path?
Idris: Put users at the centre of everything. Technology should solve human problems, and design is one of the best ways to guide that process. Be open to feedback and don’t be afraid to fail, just make sure you learn from it.
Also, communicate clearly. Learn to explain your design thinking and show the value of your work. And lastly, enjoy the journey. It’s not just about success; it’s about growing, learning, and making a real impact.
Q: Finally, how would you sum up your journey so far?
Idris: Humbling. Challenging. Beautiful. I’ve grown so much personally and professionally. And while I’ve had moments of doubt, every experience has reinforced one thing: human-centred design has the power to change lives. That’s what keeps me going.
